Author's Preface
After they ate, Nessa asked if Ryan would like to be shown around the city. Ryan agreed. As they stood near an exit that led to the ocean, Ryan stopped.
"I can swim fine, but, well, I can't breathe underwater. So how the hell am I supposed to get around?"
Nessa stuck a silver cylinder to Ryan's chest and pressed the button in the middle of it. A small membrane stretched out of the device and covered Ryan's body with the same magic that covered the city and the carriage. She placed two boots in front of him.
"I am sure you can swim, but you can't swim as fast as I can. These will help with that."
Ryan lifted one of the boots and looked at the bottom of it. In the sole was a tiny propeller and a mana stone.
"This is awesome! How long do they last?"
"A full day before the mana stones need to be replaced."
Ryan looked over to see Zareth already had his boots on and the membrane around him.
Nessa nodded toward the ocean. "Let's go."
"Wait, can we talk to each other while out there?"
"Of course, dummy. That device also amplifies your voice and carries it through the water."
Nessa and Zareth jumped through the membrane surrounding the palace and into the water. They both floated there, staring at Ryan as he placed the boots on and stood in front of the membrane.
He placed his hand against it, and it jiggled beneath his touch.
"Just walk through. The membrane you have has a code built inside of it that will allow you to pass through any barrier in the city."
"So, how do you get through without one, then?"
"I'm a Narethian, dummy. Of course they're attuned to us. We made them."
Ryan took a deep breath and walked through the barrier. He flapped his arms and legs a few times to stabilize his body.
"Good. Now, see that stream right there?"
Ryan looked to his right where Nessa pointed. He noticed what looked like a current cutting through the water, thin streaks of blue mana twisting together as it wound over the buildings and through the city like a highway.
"Yeah."
"That's basically our equivalent to your roads. It will propel us through the city. Stay close and do as I do."
"What the fuck does that even mean?" As Ryan turned his head, Nessa and Zareth were already taking off toward the stream.
"Son of a bitch." Ryan looked down at his boots. "She didn't even tell me how these things fucking turn on."
Ryan tried pouring mana into the mana stones. Nothing happened. He swam forward, kicking his feet, thinking it would activate them. Nothing. Zareth finally stopped, turned around, and yelled, "CLICK YOUR HEELS TOGETHER!"
"You're kidding, right? Who am I... fucking Dorothy?"
Ryan clicked his heels together as the mana stones activated and started turning the propellers. Ryan was instantly shot toward the surface. He tried to readjust and aim toward Zareth and Nessa, only to end up doing front flips over and over until Nessa swam up to him. She grabbed his arm and stopped him from going out of control. The propellers were still going, and Ryan only stayed still because Nessa was holding him. He looked at her with anxiety, hatred, and anger in his eyes. Nessa laughed.
"Don't fret. Everyone loses control their first time. Just use your whole body to steer where you wish to go."
Ryan started to lean toward Zareth.
"There ya go. Now keep your arms at your side. You're not a bird. You're a fish right now."
"Yeah, that's super helpful."
Nessa let Ryan go as he darted toward Zareth. Nessa swam beside him, and as she started to overtake him, she looked back.
"Stay close and make sure to leave the stream when I do."
"What happens if I don't?" Ryan watched as Nessa swam away and Zareth clicked his heels and followed her. "WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T?" Ryan screamed one last time before he entered the stream behind them.
The city zoomed by him at incredible speed as the stream twisted and turned through the city.
"Holy shit, I'm a racecar driver now."
Ryan started to smile as he zoomed through the city, banking left and right. He looked at the buildings as he passed, but he was moving too fast to take in the sights. He looked forward just in time to see Nessa and Zareth leave the stream. Ryan tried to leave at the same spot they did, but missed by a few feet. The stream spat him out as he tumbled over and over.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!"
Ryan clicked his heels as he tumbled. He didn't slow down. The momentum shot him past Nessa and Zareth and sent him crashing into a building below.
The window beside him swung open as Ryan groaned loudly. Ryan looked to his left as a blue head stared at him.
"Foreigners." The Narethian clicked his tongue and slammed the window shut.
Nessa and Zareth swam up next to him, both giggling uncontrollably.
"Yeah, real fucking funny, guys." Ryan peeled himself off the barrier. "That shit hurt!"
"Sorry, it's a thing we do to everyone who visits for the first time. Land dwellers are usually quite cocky. So we give 'em the boots and, well, break their spirit. They usually tone down the arrogance after they realize they can't keep up or swim half as well as they thought they could."
"Well done, it fucking works! I am humbled and in pain beyond measure."
"How about a cup of Narethian liquor? Would that stop ya from being a whiny baby?"
Ryan smiled. "Why yes, yes it would, Princess."
"Call me Nessa. You're my fiancé's friend, so we're friends."
"Oh, is this how friends treat each other here? Send each other flying fast as hell into a building? Got it."
Nessa laughed as she kicked her feet and swam away. "Come on, slowpoke. First round's on you!"
"Your fiancée is going to piss me off."
Zareth laughed and patted his shoulder. "To think you could get flustered. By a woman, no less."
"Well, there's another one that flusters me. Thank God she isn't here."
Zareth shook his head. "You are going to be a lonely man, Kade."
"Nothing I'm not accustomed to already. Now let's go get that drink."
Ryan swam away from Zareth. As he kicked his legs, he made sure to kick Zareth in the head as he swam toward Nessa.
Ryan, Nessa, and Zareth sat at a local bar drinking and talking for the next few hours. Nessa finally grew tired of the small talk.
"So, are you going to quit avoiding the obvious?"
"The obvious? What does that mean?" Zareth took another drink.
"Why you came. You have totally avoided it this entire time."
Zareth looked at Ryan, whose eyes drifted to the floor as he drank his liquor.
Zareth let out a long, loud sigh. "Fine." Zareth pointed at Ryan. "It's his fault."
Ryan spit his drink out all over Zareth. "What the fuck? You're really just throwing me under the bus like that?"
"What is a bus?" Nessa asked.
"Never mind."
"So what is his fault exactly? And what does it have to do with you being here?"
Zareth wiped the liquor off his face with a napkin. "He killed the emissary of the Beastkin and then the guards who came with him."
Nessa stared at Ryan, her eyes wide.
"What? His dad fucking nodded!" Ryan sighed. "Okay, look, truthfully, I know I messed up. But he came in threatening the demons with death and slavery. I couldn't take it anymore. With the words the emissary spoke, the Beastkin had already made their position of war known. I just... accelerated the process."
"And I assume you're here to beckon for allies?"
"We are," Zareth said.
"Well, this is troubling." Nessa took a drink.
"How so?" Zareth leaned forward.
"The elders have made a pact with the Beastkin. Or at least are trying to broker one. My father caught wind and has been fighting against it, as it isolates the demons. And as you know, the Narethians cannot march without the council's approval." Nessa looked between Ryan and Zareth. "Though I do fear my father won't say no to Olax, or my wishes if I beg him to send the army."
"But..."
"Yes," she interrupted Zareth. "If he does that, he will forfeit his right as king, and the First Elder will assume the throne. Which is what he wants most anyway."
"Fuck, I hate politics and those who play these games. Do you think the First Elder could be in on this? Does he know Olax would send for Narethian aid?"
"He knows of my father and Olax's friendship quite well. The three of them used to be inseparable. Until something drove them apart."
"Well, shit. So we may have walked right into a trap set up by the Elder and the Beastkin."
"By your logic, though, Kade, if we just beat them, there will be no plot to act upon." Zareth smiled.
"I like the way you think." Ryan smiled back and reached up to his face, pulled off his mask, and set it on the table. "Since all our cards are on the table, I may as well join in."
"Oh my, you are so young. I figured you to be well into your midlife by now."
"Such kinder words have never been spoken to me, Nessa." Ryan raised a hand to his chest. "Call me Ryan. Kade is my adventuring name. My friends call me Ryan."
Zareth nodded. "Does anyone have any sway with the First Elder?"
Nessa shook her head. "No, most are afraid of him. The council is known to just do what he suggests."
"So we're screwed. What if we kill the First Elder?"
Zareth slammed his hands on the table. "Haven't you caused enough with that logic of yours? You cannot simply kill everything standing in your way."
"Why not? That seems to be their plan. Kill the demons and take over your land. Why can't we strike first? Diplomacy only goes so far."
Nessa raised both her arms and shoved a hand in each of their faces. "Let us not make any decisions without first meeting with my father and his advisors." Nessa looked out the window. "The tide is changing. My father should be back shortly. Let us head to the palace and figure out our next move with his guidance."
Ryan grabbed his mask and put it back on. "Fine by me." He stood. "You know, I have a friend who is a prince. You met him at the summit. Prince Samuel. You and him would get along because you're both too naive. Peace only happens because violent men are willing to do violent things."
"Violence can solve many things. I do not disagree... but resorting to it first is never the right answer. It is what led to my people's restrictions in the first place."
Ryan hit the button on the device Nessa gave him. The barrier surrounded him as he took a step toward the door. He turned back to Zareth.
"I am getting tired of people looking at me as if I'm crazy for wishing to protect people the best way I see fit. You can choose to sit on your hands for as long as you wish. Your people's blood will be on your hands, not mine. But if I see a way to end all of this without any blood being spilled besides the blood I choose, then that is what I will choose, every time."
Ryan clicked his heels, walked through the barrier, and began to swim back toward the palace.
Nessa looked at Zareth, confused. "Did he just try and claim some moral high ground after killing the emissary and causing all of this?"
"I pity him."
"Pity? Are you kidding me?"
"He is so young, Nessa. What a life he must have lived already to see the world in such ways. So yes, I pity him." Zareth stood. "We should go too. Your guards won't let him into the palace if he's alone."
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